TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch; new ramp’s 2nd morning

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

6:07 AM: Good morning! Second morning for the new south-of-the-tunnel NB 99 exit ramp. No incidents or alerts so far.

STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: Sounders FC plays Club Nacional de Football in a preseason match at CenturyLink Field at 7:30 pm.

8:33 AM: Two transit notes as an uneventful morning continues:

–Scattered reports in comments again of Metro buses not taking the new routing. Metro reiterates that they’re supposed to, and expresses hope these are “one-offs” getting used to the changes.

—Ride2 app users will be able to book rides in advance starting Monday (February 25). That’s the lone WS change as a result of Eastgate and WS service “syncing” as Hopelink takes over the former starting Monday.

Shannon February 20, 2019 (7:17 am)

6:43 Route 56 from Alki took 4th Ave instead of the 99 this morning. Same bus took the ramp yesterday.

Delridge Resident February 20, 2019 (7:22 am)

What is the best way to contact metro about adding one or two stops in Pioneer Square in the interim and permanently?

WSB February 20, 2019 (8:25 am)

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/contact-us.aspx

MJ February 20, 2019 (7:32 am)

The 120 I’m currently on is also taking Fourth… no idea why.

Railroaded February 20, 2019 (8:10 am)

Traffic looks pretty darn good.

Michael Towbin February 20, 2019 (8:11 am)

Any chance they update the C Line route to drop off at the stadium instead of going all the way to Seneca and 3rd?

WSB February 20, 2019 (8:27 am)

Metro replied to one Twitter report of #56 not using the new ramp by saying the same thing as yesterday, they hope it was a one-off as drivers get used to the new routing. So they’re SUPPOSED to be …

MNW February 20, 2019 (8:36 am)

Took NB 99 to the new downtown exit again today with no issues. I just stayed on Alaskan Way instead of going to 1st and made my way to Belltown that way. Previously there were always backups on the WS bridge, which in my opinion were due to the immediate merge drivers were forced to do once getting on NB 99 (to get out of the bus lane). Now- that lane is a general purpose lane and the new bus lane starts much further down. It will be interesting to see what it’s like next week when school is back in session.

Olivist February 20, 2019 (8:55 am)

I think I see the future and in it 1st Ave is the worst possible idea for buses. Of course doesn’t help that Seattle transportation dept has never been able to figure out how staggered stop lights are supposed to eork to make traffic move instead of coming to a complete stop. Or maybe that’s their plan because otherwise it makes no sense.

C February 20, 2019 (9:13 am)

4th Ave still has bus only exit lane off of bridge but not being monitored. Any news when the “temporary” signs will be removed?

WSB February 20, 2019 (9:23 am)

SDOT’s communications team is checking with operations on that for us as of yesterday afternoon so I’m hoping to have an answer before too long.

Meyer February 20, 2019 (9:19 am)

This new on ram shaved about 10 minutes off my commute via the C Line from the Morgan Junction to downtown, which is pretty awesome

Chuck February 20, 2019 (11:16 am)

So far, yes–I’ve noticed a nice 10 minute time savings morning and afternoon. But what concerns me about the current reliance on that short leg on 1st through Pioneer square will be the seasonal tourist traffic in summer and (shudder) Mariner’s games during the eve commute. Fingers crossed for now.

CarDriver February 20, 2019 (10:25 am)

WSB. You may have plan’s to do this but it would be interesting to see what the bus, bike, water taxi #’s are now compared to when the viaduct was closed.

hj February 20, 2019 (10:38 am)

How hard is it for Metro drivers to take the correct route? How poor must communication inside Metro be for this to be a problem? Thousands of ordinary commuters were able to figure this out on day one, why not the professionals?

Joseph February 20, 2019 (11:05 am)

The stretch of 99 travels fast! However, taking the buses down 1st Avenue through Pioneer Square is a slow “disaster,” route. Stopped at every light – 1st is packed with cars & pedestrians. Hope they re-route OFF 1st Avenue!

Kyle February 20, 2019 (12:32 pm)

Agreed. 1st Ave is an upcoming disaster. Do we have to wait for it to get bad for Metro to react? When construction is not impeding Alaskan that route should be used.

Chris February 20, 2019 (11:43 am)

I’ve been getting to work on the 6:35 am 125 from Trenton in under 30 minutes which is off the charts good.

Jennifer February 20, 2019 (11:48 am)

Talked to the driver on the 56 this morning and he didn’t think they were supposed to use 99 and the new off ramp yet. I told him metro put out an email saying that it started today. He said he’d check tomorrow to see what he’s supposed to do. So I think the message just didn’t get passed down to all the drivers yet.

T February 20, 2019 (12:32 pm)

Just saw one of those garbage truck size SDOT trucks take the bus lane from beginning to end.

Mj February 20, 2019 (2:04 pm)

SDoT needs to cover up the bus only signs at the 4th off ramp. The SR 99 ramps into DT is open!

WSB February 20, 2019 (2:37 pm)

They’re removing the signs in a few days; just got my reply on that and will be publishing a separate story shortly. – TR

Lee February 20, 2019 (9:50 pm)

The Metro press release says the West Seattle routes are adding a new northbound stop at 3rd & Madison. Took the C line yesterday and this morning, and it didn’t stop there either time. Is this another issue with communicating with drivers, or is there no stop there?

Pdxmark77 February 21, 2019 (1:29 am)

I think that’s a communication error on Metro’ s part. Even the on board signs on the busses are saying Seneca for the first stop downtown. One of the busses i have taken into downtown from WS has stopped at Madison
CAM February 21, 2019 (5:04 am)

I submitted a complaint about this same thing to Metro on Tuesday and have had no response.

Sorry, comment time is over.